Visiting Nelson Mandela

There was no appointment made. I also wasn’t informed that it could happen. Together with some fellow editors in chief, I was visiting Johannesburg for something completely else: the ‘Meetings Africa’ conference and exhibition, and some ‘BusinessUnusual’, which isn’t too difficult in South Africa. On a nice and sunny Thursday morning I had the unexpected privilege to explore Jozi, Jo’burg, or whatever name you wish to give to the ‘Golden City’, together with Kerstin Hoffman and her seductive smile. She’s the Editor in Chief of CIM Magazine. We were feeling great in the car with MT, a cheerful guide of JMT Travel & Safaris. We were driving on 13^th Avenue, in the fancy and well-armoured Houghton district when suddenly our guide came to a sudden halt to take a better look at the residential home of Nelson Mandela. And you know what happened? The heavy gates of the white presidential villa swung wide open and before we even know what happened, a friendly security guy invited us to drive in. Kerstin’s and my blood pressure was rising to a higher than normal level. At least mine was. To be invited on the property of the former president of South Africa just like that… That’s something the best incentive organiser in the world can’t pull off, we thought.We positioned ourselves on the steps and we took pictures for ages. And again I saw that broad smile appear on the not so German face of Kerstin. We felt like young doves in this quiet and deserted spot… Nelson Mandela doesn’t live there for quite a while now but it was his official residence from ’94 to ’99 when he still was president. Now he lives a bit further but our visiting schedule didn’t allow for us to have coffee there. Still a big thank you to MT for this wonderful incentive moment! What journalists have to endure in their hard life!